The Effects of Varying Degrees of Interinstitutional Environmental Change on Long-Term Care Patients

This article reports findings of a comprehensive statewide study dealing with the effects that varying degrees of interinstitutional environmental change may have on the elderly with respect to mortality, health, functioning, behavior, and social/psychological factors. The effects are noted by comparing pre- and postrelocation periods for radical, moderate, and no environmental change groups. Positive effects are noted for moderate change, and no effect is noted for radical and no environmental change. Implications for program development are discussed.